Signaling system.



0. T. LADEMAN. SIGNALING SYSTEM.. APPLICATION FILED APR.30,1912

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

WWW n w ll .alrna CQMPANY, GE MILVJAUKJEE, WISCONSIN.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

--- 4 i n "F loifllihella.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

rad-retiree net. as rain.

llpplication filed April 30, 1912. Elerial No. 694,213.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Ohio '1. LADEMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing lvlihvaulree in the county of Milwaukee andldtate of: "lisconsin, have invented a certain new and useful improvement inSignaling Systems, of which the following is a full, clear concise, andexact description, reference being; had to the accompanying drawings,forming a part of this SPQClfiCELlZlOIb My invention relates tosignaling systems and has for its object the provision of an improvedsystem of the step-bystop var ety. lViy invention has variousapplications, but to set forth its general features I will describe myinvention herein as applied particularly to a system of police call.While describing my invention'as used in this particular manner, I donot thereby intend to limit my invention to such use as before statedbut merely describe this particular manner of em 'iloying my inventionas lllUS- trative. a

"W hen my invention is applied to'police call systems it is designed tooperate signals suitably located about a city in such a manner as toindicate to the police officer on duty within the particular districtthat he wanted. These si nals are preferably provided atpatrol bones towhich the called oiiicer repairs to communicate, preferably bytelephone, to leadquarters. The signals may be in the form of visual oraudible sigis as the case may require. in fact, both als may be used inconnection with the sauic calling device. The visual signal ispreferably of the lamp type and in the daytime may be continuallyilluminated, 1i desirech or may be flashed intermittently so as to callthe attention of the police oiiicer. [Lit night. I find it of advantageto have the visual signal lamp burn continuously and then whenever theparticular oilicer is desired. to intermittently extinguish andilluurinate the particular lamp or lamps to which he may respond. All ofthe functions aforesaid may be carried on over a single circuit and inaddition, this circuit may be used for telephonic purposes if sodesired.

i will describe one embodiment of my invention as applied particularlyto the sh and a arm system above outlined, in connection with theaccompanying drawing illus tratiup; the same diagrammatically.

In the drawin I show a central station it. and substations and 3. Ateach substation l employ a selector therein illustrated diagrammaticallyof the general type illustrated in Patent l lo. 970,18Q, issued Sept.13, 19.10, to W. S. Burnett. This selector has two armatures l and 2,which armature 2 is shown twice at'each substation in order to moreclearly bring out the circuit connections, the illustration beingdiagrammatic. The selector has two separate mag: netic circuits, onecomprising the arms 3, 3 in connection with the heel piece l and thearmature l. The other magnetic circuit comprisesthe C shaped corebetween which the armature 2is mounted and in response to which thisarmature 2 moves. A pair of coils 'Ql i lconstitute the single windingfor energizing both ofthcse magnetic circuits. Thus when a current isimpressed on the windings 6, if it be of an alternating or similarvariety, the armature l oscillates back and forth upon its pivot 7. Adirect current in the coils 6 holds the armature 1 either in theposition shown in the illustration or in its alternative positionagainst the opposite core, depending upon the direction of the currentin these coils A permanent magnet 8 furnishes the polarizing agency asrequired. The armature '2 is not polarized and moves about its pivot 9by having its right hand extremity elevated whenever there is anymagnetization of the core 5.

The armature 2 thus responds and remains in its attracted position eventhough alternationcurrents traverse the 0011s 6. A stepby-step element10 having a notch 11 is pivoted upon a shaft 12 andis rotated by meansof suitable step-by-step "mechanism under the control of the armature 1,which step by-step mechanism is not shovvn herein but is set forth inthe patent to Burnett before mentioned. The right hand extremity of thearmature 2 is heavier than the left so that this armature tends to pressa projection 13 against the element 10, and if this element 10 is in itsproper position, the pro 'jcction 13 may enter the notch 11 and thuspermit the armature 2 to eilcct certain circuit changes by controllingthe sprin s 14c,

=2 15 and in. An insulating lug 17 is interposcd between the spring 1 1-and the armature Assume then that alternating current impulses areimpressed on the line circuit 18 and 19 which unites all of the stafrontcontact 35 of this relay is connected by tions. then the armature 1.will oscillate back and forth in answer to these impulses, the armature2 in the meantime being attracted and remaining attracted so that theprojection 13 may not enter any passing notch 11. Immediately theimpulses cease,

however, the notch 11 of the particular stasubstation illustration inorder to illustrate F the circuit control of this armature, and also toillustrate its exact position in the magnetic circuit. Two contacts and23 are under lllCCOIliiTOi. of a circuit changing arm 2% mounted uponthe armature 1. The contact 23 by means of the conductor 25 is connectedto one terminal of an alarm'signal 26, a further conductor 27 unitingthoremaining terminal of said alarm signal with a conductor 28 whichtogether with a companion conductor 29 leads to some suitable source ofcurrent supply here shown as a generator 30. A conductor 31 unites theline wire 19 with a relay 32, the other terminal of this relay beingconnected to ground at 83. The armature 3i of this relay is connectedwith the conductor 22) and the means of the conductor 36 with the spring14. The spring 15 iszponnected by'means of the conductor o? with acontact 22. 'lhe spring 16 is connected by means ofi the conductor 38with a visual signal or lamp 39, the remaining terminal olisaid lampbeing connected by means of the conductor 40 to the conductor 28 leadingto the source of current supply.

it is now to be assumed, in the preferred layout of a system of thischaracter, that, say thirty-six selectors are connected. to the samecircuit and that six signals each respond to the smile number. Thenotches 11 in the various signal receiving devices responding;todill'erent numbers are angularly displaced about the periphery of theelements 10 so that it requires a dill' -rcnt number of cycles, that is,positive and negative impulses to call the diiicrent sip'ual receivingdevices responsive to dili ereut numbers. It is thus assumed that, saydevices would have the notch 11 similar tothe position it occupies asshown in. substationli and the same is true for substation C. The illustration of one selector apparatus, however, is thought sullici'cnt toillustrate the principles involved. We have assumed that the signalreceiving; device at substation B is' No. 2 and the signal receivingdevice at subalarin may be sounded. further selection of suliistationsin a novel there are thirty quiring seven cycles.

station C is lilo. 6. By this it is meant that it takes two completecycles, that is, two po:-5- itive impulses and two negative impulses toalinc the slot 11 of substation ll with the projection 13 and that ittakes six cycles to alinc the slot 11 of substation U withil'scorresponding projection 13. in the (meratiou of the system it isthen desired to signal, let us say, substation l and all similarsubstations which require two cycles. A l'ier flier-c -substations havebeen properly scldctud, the

signals may be intermittently lighted and extinguished 3y means ofcentral station :.pparatus which will be presently explained, or acontinuous signal may be given, or an .i contemplate a manner. As beforestated, assunm that stations to be acc mmodatcd, and six of these to berosponsii c to a given number of cycles. Assume, then that the first onewould be No. .2 inquiring tv-o cycles and the last one would be No. Troldach. call for No. 2 would actuate six signal receiving devices andthe same would be true for stations having the succeeding numbers. Thor:are thus six companion stations for cach cycle. As sumo now, that anumber of stations are to be selected at random simultaneously which arenot companion substations in the sense as above stated. To do this; iprovide additional notches 11 as many as may be required which arePI'OYlK lKl in the (lvlllOllli i0 and which arcso placed that theyrequire a number of cycles beyond 7, 'i cycl being assun'icd for thatparticular set oi companion stations requiring the greatest number ofcycles for their normal call. Those stations would probably be calledaccording, to some predetermined selection agreed upon. For this reasonsome of the thirty-six Sclrcloili referred to would. be provided withnotcbos-= which would respond to eight cycles. som

of them would be provided with notches to correspond with nine cycles,and some o l' the stations might be provided with notches to and ten, orany definite plurality ol. cycle numbers selected. 'lhus, it eig htcycles were sent out, a dill'erent sot oi substations would be called,and this number might, il desirable, include all of the substation Fromthis it will be seen that not only might a certain set of companionstations be selected, but an entirely dilicrout selection of a plurulityof predetermined stations may be chosen and the correspondlug signalsoperated. The substations l5 and C are each shown as being provided withadditional notches 41 which in this case would rumoud to ten cycles sothat with two cycles, substation B and its companion stations wouldrespond and for six cycles substation O and its companion substationswould re ond,

lOO

whereas with ten cycles both classes cl substations would respond.

ln order to send the alternating impulses and also the other signalingcurrents re-' is adapted when closed to connect a battery 433 betweenthe line wire 19 and the ground thereby to control the relay 32 as willpresently appear. I also provide at the central station a make and breakdevice consisting of the commutator Pl which through the agency of thebattery i5 is adapted to transmit periodic impulses over the line wires18 and 19 when this commutator is actuated.

I provide further at the central station a pole changing device 46having the collector 2 rin s :7, 48 and having a two segment COI11-inutatorltly 50, all rotatable with a shaft 51. The semi-circular sernent 49 is electricallv l D u connected with ring 48 and thesemi-circular segmentveO is electrically connected with the ring it. Asheet of insulation 52 is interposed between the two semi-circularsegments 49 and. 50. Brushes 53 and 54: are normally, when the device isnot in operm tion, held against the insulation section 52, but when itis in rotation bear alternatively against the segments 4:9 and 50.Brushes 55 and 56 are associated with the rings t7 and 48 respectively,brush 55 being connected witi one terminal of the battery 57 and brushit being connected with a spring 58 in cobperative relation with aspring 59 which is electrically associated with the other terminal ofbattery 57. The spring 58 is joined by means of a strip of insulation 60with another spring 61., which spring is in cooperative relation withanother spring 62. The spring 61 is directly connected to the line wire19 and the spring 62 is di rectly connected with the brush 5d and alsowith one terminal of a condenser 63 and one terminal of an inductiveresistance 6 The remaining terminals of the condenser and inductiveresistance respectively, are con nected to the line wire lo. ll.suitable countin device set forth in my ire-pending application SerialNo. (390,727, filed April 15, 1912 is operated to control the number ofrevolutions of the shaft 51 to thereby determine the number oi positiveand negm tive impulses transmitted. by means oi the sending d viceoperating with this shaft, thereby to control the nrunber of cycles.This particular counting device forms no part of my present invention,and of course,

any suitable counting device would answer.

The inductive restance (34-. and condenser 63 are bridged directlyacross the line wires by the springs 61 and (32 whenever impulses arebeing transmitted, the condenser serving to obviate the injurious effectof the shaft 51 receives two completerevolutions,

thereby sending two positive and two negative impulses over the lineWires 18 and 19 through the agency of this pole changing sending deviceAfter the impulses have been stopped, the armature 2 is released bygravity and its projection 13 at station E enters the notch 1.1 therebyclosing circuit between springs 1i and 15. The make and break device 4Ais then operated alternately to light and extinguish the lamp 39 as willbe presently explained. A second key (36 is provided which controls twosprings 67 and (38 joined together by a strip of insulation 69, whichsprings are in association with additional springs 70 and 71respectively. This key 66 when operated, connects the make and brealrdevice H and the battery 4.5 in circuit with the line wires 18 and 19 Apush button 72 is provided for purposes of changingthe polarity suppliedby the battery 45 to the line wires 18 and 19 and to this end the pushbutton 72 controls the circuit changing springs 73. and 7% to reversethe connection of this battery to the said line wires. The conductors7'5 and Z6 connect respectively the free terminal of the battery l5 andthe free terminal. of the make and break device t'l with the springs 73and '2' -11. llormally the springs *5?- and 74 are in engagement withsprings 77 and 78 respectively so that a certain. polarity of saidbattery is impressed by means of tire conductors 79 and 80 upon thesprings 70 and 71 respectively. When the push button T2 is operated sothat springs 73 and T l engage springs 81 and 82 respectively, then thebattery polarity as furnished to the line conductors l8 and 19 isreversed as will be apparent, independently of the key 66.

In the general operation of the system, assume now that theinipulsesending device mounted on the shaft 51 is operated to send two cycles,that is, two positive and two negative impulses in alternating; order.llien the first impulse serves to attract the arn'iature 2 and thisarmature is attracted and remains attracted during the time occupied bythe sending of these impulses. ,At

the S21E16 time the armature oscillates in response to these negativeand positive inipnlses. thereby rotating the element 10 to a position inwhich its notch 11 is over the projection 13. The impulses havingceased,

armature 2 is withdrawn by force of gravi and the projection 13 entersthe notch 11 thereby open circuit between springs l and 16 and to closecircuit between springs 14 and 15. The lamp 39 thereby has its circuitopened. it must now be pointed out that the polarity of the currentfurnished by the battery 45 when sent over the line wire without theoperation of the key 72 is of such a character that it will tend toattract the armature l, or rather maintain the armature l in theposition it occupies in the drawing which is .L b to the position inwhich that armature is left,

after the completion of each. cycle. Consequently impulses tansmitted bythe make and break device 4-2 will. not aii ect the armature l, butwill, in accordance with these impulses,"cause the attraction of thearmature 2 which thereby periodically closes the circuit through thelamp 39. Thereby this lamp is continually flashed until the patrolmandesired responds. lit must be pointed out, of course, that before theoperation stated can take place, the switch 42 must be in its closedposition so that the relay 32 remains attracted. This switch i2 shouldtherefore be closed before the signal sending operation begins, or as lefore stated, during the night this switch 42 may remain in its closedposition so that the lamps l9 burn continually until their particularcontrolling apparatus is selected to flash this lamp. Now should it bedesired to sound the alarm 26, after having selected any given station,it will be apparent that this can be done by reversing the position ofthe arn'iature l or rather, by causing it to occupy its alternativeposition so that its switch clement Ell engages contacts 22 and to closecircuit therethrough, and this movement of the armature 1 is the resultof sending a on'c halt cycle of that polarity which would move thisarma-.

turc into its alternative position. This is accomplished by pressing thepush button 72 to thereby reverse the polarity of the current furnishedby the battery so that the armaturc l is thereby reversed into itscircuit closing position, whereupon the alarm Qllis operated. Lever G5in this case is left in same position, as when operating pole changer.After any station has been. called, I operate the shaft 51 to give it asull'icient number of rotations so as to send a snilicicnt'nuinber ofcycles over the line wires to bring all of the elements 10 back to theirstarting position where they are held, even though the number of cyclessent is in excessof that required to make a complete revolution of thiselement as clearly explained in the patent to Burnett above cited.

From what has been described, theessence of my invention will beapparent. Likewise its application to a multiplicity of diilerent uses,likewise its modification Withinthe scope of the invention, and

means whereby the substations of each group are simultaneouslyresponsirc to u ven lective incoming signal, and means associated with aplurality Oil: stcp-b y-stcp devices of substations in dillbrcnt.itl'OHpS whereby said last aforesaid plurality of sul rcs jiondsimultaneously to a dinerent incoming signal.

A. signaling system having a central. station and substations united bya line circuit, a stcp-by ste element at each substatiim, a circuit chariug clement under the control thereof, and means controlled at thecentral station. operable over said circuit to set said stcp-b \;*-stcpelement and to iinle iiendently control the circuit through said circuitchanging element at will without moving said step-bystep element.

3. A signaling system having a central station and subs ions united by"a. line circuit, a. stcpb i step element at eaclusubstation,electromagnetic means operable with alternating current to set saidstep-liystcp merit, a circuit changing element under the control of saidelement, meal. 5 at the central ,station to transmit alternating currentover said circuit to set said step-by+top cli'uncnt, and meanscontrolled at the central station and operable over said circuit toindcpcnd cntly intermittently operate said circuit changing element.

a A signaling system having a central station and substations united bylinc circuit, a stcirby-step element at each substation, clectroniagietic means operable with alternatiug current to set said slic rby-strlpclc nicnt. a circuit changng clement under the control of said climientmeans at the i'Fcntrul station to transmit alternating current over saidcircuit to set said stcp-by-step element means controlled at thecentralv station and operable over said circuit to iudcp ndcotlyintermittently operate said circuit changing element, and a signaladapted to be iutcrmit tently operated under the control of said circuitchanging element.

5. A signaling system having a central. slintion and substations unitedby a line circuit a stepby-step element at each substation, a circuitchanging element under the control thereof, means controlled at thecentral station to set. said stcp-by-stcp clement-and to independentlyintermittently operate said circuit changing clcmcnt, a signaliul'iplicd to be intermittently operated under the control of saidcircuit changing element, and means controlled at the ccntralstationwhereby said signal may be continuously operated subject Lllii to theintermittent control oi ,said circuit changing element 6. A signalingsystem having a central station and substations united by a linecircuit, a sbep-by-step eleIrlent-at each substa- \lhlOll, meansoperatively responsive only to alternating current for setting saidstep-by step element, said means normally occupying when at rest one ofits two alternative positions, a signalunder the'control of said means,and devices at the central station for impressing current on-saidcircuitto reverse the position of said .rneans to thereby opcrate saidsignal. Y

'2'. A. signaling system having a central station and substations unitedby a line circuit, a step-by-step element at each substation, a circuitchanging element under the control thereof, and means including a singlewinding and a plurality of independent magnetic circuitsthereforcontrolled at the central station to set said step-by-stepelement and to independently intermittently operate said circuitchanging element.

8. Asignaling system having a central station and suhs'tationsunited bya line circuit, a step-by-step. element at each substation, a circuitchanging element under the control thereof, means including a singlewinding and a plumlity of independent magnetic circuits thereforcontrolled at the central station to set said step-by-step element andto independently intermittently operate said circuit changing element, asig nal adapted to he intermittentlv operated under the control of saidcircui' changing element, and means controlled at thecentralstationwhereby said signal may be continuously operated subject to theintermittent control o t said circuit changing element.

10. A signaling system having a central station and substations unitedby a. line cir cuit, a signal receiving device at each substation havinga signal under its control, means to set said signal receiving deviceand to control the operation of said signal, an interrupter at thecentral station for impressing impulses to intermittently operate saidsignal controlling means after setting the corresponding signalreceiving device, the setting of the receiving device being alsocontrolled at the central station, and means controlled at the-sendingstationto control said signal independently of the setting of saidsignal receiving device.

11. A signaling system having a central station and substations unitedby a line circuit, a signal at each substation, means controlled at thegentral station and operable over said circuit to operate said signal, astep-by-step element at each substation, and means at the centralstation to operate said step-by-step device to select any desired signalfor intermittentoperation and to intermittently change the operativecondition of the selected signal.

12. A signaling system having a central station. and substations unitedy a line circuit, a signal at each substation, means controlled at thecentral station and operable over said circuit to operate said signal, astep-'by-step element at each substation, and means at the centralstation to operate said step-by-step deviceto select any desired signalfor intermittent operation and to intermittently change the operativecondition of the selected signal, said means atthe central stationincluding a source of L current and switching means for transmitt ngimpulses of alternate positive and negative character. In Witnesswhereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 5th day of April, A. l).,1912.

OTTO T.- LADEMAN. Witnesses:

' MAx W. ZABEL,

HAZEL JONES.

